Recent Work By Jeanne Spicuzza

When I was nine and eleven, I wanted to be like John Lennon, but most of my lyrics had a simple drumbeat and no melody. I think I realized I was actually writing poems at the age of twenty-three. I guess it’s always been in there.

It’s not my fault.
I was framed.
I may be pretty,
but I’m not that pretty.
I didn’t fashion the tanks
build the guns
forge the swords that slashed—
and I didn’t think Paris or Achilles
were very good looking either.

How does it feel to be a 41 year-old grandmother and a poet?

Do you always speak tersely in verse?

I read that you wrote your first play at ten?

Yes. It’s about three very attractive people who turn themselves into hideous monsters in order to find their inner beauty.

That’s deep.

Thank you.

And you wrote your first songs at age nine?

Yes. I wanted to be John Lennon. But my lyrics never had music.

When did you realize that you were a poet?

At 23. I wrote “I climbed because I wished to fly” Or rather, it came through me.

What do you mean?

Like I was a channel for the words flying out of me onto the page like blood and lightning.

Oh. And when was that?

October 1992. I was reading Kierkegaard’s Fear and Trembling.

Ah.

For my Introduction to Existential Philosophy class.

That’s right, you were a philosophy major, weren’t you?

Yes.

Tell me about that.

Well, I was looking for a major at UWM…

Madison?

No, Milwaukee. I had dropped fine art and psychology. And I noticed I was taking so many philosophy classes.

So, there you go.

Right.

Did you always believe in God?

Not so much believe, I’ve simply had experiences that I cannot deny.

Were you ever an atheist?

Yes. I denied concepts of God. I even quit my confirmation class. Then, after studying dreams and visions in American Indian metaphysics, along with Eastern philosophy and religions, Islamic philosophy and mysticism, Vodoun, Santeria, Baha’i, Zoroastrianism, magic, pagan and neo-paganism, new age, cults, reading the major scriptural texts, I sat down one afternoon and read the entire Gospel of John. And knew I was a Catholic.

And you’ve made your living as a writer?

Yes. Not an easy living mind you. But the passion remains.

What do you write about?

Many many things. I’ve been blessed to travel and see the world. To meet fascinating people. To love. To give birth, and witness birth. To die a couple of times. To live again. To draw from the well of guts and illumination.